Banjo-tone modifier



Feb. 5, 1929.

W. H. PLACE, JR

BANJO TONE MODIFIER Filed oct, 27,i 1927 l ,ZO

INXZENTDE Patented` F eb. i, 1929.

UNITED) STATES WILLIAM HENRY PLACE, JR., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

BANJO-TONE MODIFIER.

Application filed October 27, 1927. Serial No. 229,198.

My invention has reference to an improvemem` in banjos and moreparticularly to an improvement in tone modifiers for banjos.

In the usual modern construction ot banjos, the skin head ot the banjois tightly stretch .d over the metal rim of the banjo. The n'ietai rimincreases the volume of' sound and it also gives a metallic tone to theinstrument.

The object of my invention to provide such a banjo with a tone modilierwhereby the metallic or overtones are eliminated.

Another object of my invention is to provide the banjo tone modiiierwith means for adjusting the tone modifier relative to the skin head oithe banjo, whereby the exact tone required may be easily and quicklyobtained.

My invention consists in the peculiar and novel construction of a banjotone modifier, said banjo tone modifier having details of constructionas will be more fully set forth he 'einailiter and claimed.

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional view through the head of a banjoprovided with my improved banjo tone modifier.

Figure 2 is a perspective View of the banjo tone modifier, showing theparts in the position they would assume in the head of the banjo.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view through the banjo head,rim and tone modifier with the greater portion ot the banjo head brokenaway, and

Figure 1 is a vertical perspective view oli one ot the adjusting screwsound deadening tubes, used to prevent metallic Vibrations of 'thescrews.

In the drawing 5 ilniicates the head end ot a banjo and 6 mj.' improvedbanjo tone modilier Yfor baujos.

The banjo head, end 5 has a metal rim 7 coi'istiI l as will behereinafter described, otherwis... i banjo head end 5 has the usual skinhead 8 stretched over the metal rim 7 and tightly secured to the rim 7by the usual hooi; rods construction 9, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

In carrying my invention into practice I lform an internal annularrecess 10, in the metal banjo rim adjacent the skin head 8. This recessl() forms an internal annular shoulder 11 and a comparatively thin rimportieri 12 over which the skin head S is stretched. A series ofscrew-tlnfeaded holes 13, 13, are termed in the rim an equal distanceapart and at right angles to the skin head 8, the screw-threaded holesterminating outwardly into tubular enlargements 14, 14, as shown inFigures 1 and 3.

My improved banjo tone modifier 6 consists essentially of a U shapedcircular ring 15 and a series ot' ring adjusting screws 16, 16. On thebottom ot' the ring 15 are a series ot screw end indentures 17, 17,coinciding with the screw-holes 13, 13, in the banjo rim 7, and the ring15 forms a circular U shaped trough V18 in which is a ring 19 ot' feltor other resilient material.

The diameter ot the ring' 15 is less than the recess in the banjo rim 7and it is held out oi" Contact with the banjo rim 7 by the ringadjusting screws 16, 16, in the screwthreaded holes 13, 13, in the banjorim 7. The inner ends et' the screws 16, 16, enter the screw endindentures 17, 17 in the ring 15 and hold the ring trom turning in thebanjo head. A sound deadening tube 20 surrounds that portion of eachscrew 16 in each tubular enlargement 14, 14, in the banjo rim 7, therebypreventing metallic sounds from the screws, caused by chattering orvibrations ol? the metal screws in the metal rim of the banjo. Thesesound deadening tubes 20, 20, may be made of felt or other sounddeadening materials.

When the banjo is in use the tone of the banjo is modilied by pressingthe feltring 19 more or against the inner face of the skin head 8, atthe outer periphery of the skin head 8. This is accomplished byadjusting the pressure of the ring adjusting screws 16, 16, on the ring15, so as to give the required pressure on the 'felt ring 19.

By this construction all oi' the tones and overtones of the banjo,caused by the vibrations o't' the skin head of the banjo, are controlledand modified by my improved banjo tone modifier, before they reach themetal rim of the banjo, thereby eliminating metallic tones or overtonesfrom the metal rim of the banjo.

I do not contine myself to the construction shown, as the same could bemodified so as to bring 'the Yfelt ring 19 into contact with the outeriace of the skin head 8 and accomplish the same result.

Having thus described my invention I claim as new 1. In a banjo havinga. metal rim and a skin head, said metal rim having an annular recess onthe inside of the rim, a banjo tone modifier including a circular ringhaving a circular groove, a feit ring in the oireuiar groove, saidcircular ring being` in the annular recess in the banjo rim, said feitring Contacting Wih the skin head oi1 the banjo and means in the banjorim for adjusting the banjo tone modifier relative to 'ne skin head ofthe banjo.

2. In a banjo having a metal riin and a skin head, said Inet-a1 rimhaving an inner annular recess forming` an annuiar ledge and an annularprojecting lip over which

